Rocking device



y 1949- M. Ma GREGOR 2,475,289

ROCKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1948 2 Shets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. MH Y Me GREGOR ATTORNEY July 5, 1949. M. M GREGOR 1 2,475,239

ROCKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. May We GREGOR ATTORNEY.

Patented July 5, 1949 OFFICE ROCKING DEVICE tion of New Y k Application January 17, 1948; Serial No. -2,827

This invention relates to a method. and appa: ratus for the administration of beauty treat.- ments. In particular it pertains to the treatment of individuals. while" completely relaxed and dis: posed in a supineyposition in a manner. intended to stimulate and increasethe circulation of blood throughout the body and to thereby induceim creased tissue nourishment irithe faceof the sub je'et taking the treatment.

The tendency toward tissue anemia is recognized to be considerably greater in the upper body extremity and this condition is apparently due to the fact that circulation in that direction is sub.- stantla'lly influenced by the action of gravity. This tendency for example is evident to an extent in the facial contours of theaged as contradistinguishedfrom the more normal condition present in the lower :portionsof the anatomy. The effect of gravit on circulation is especially no.- ticeable when the feet are raised above the head. It is also known that any form of activity which increases the circulation has a, beneficial effect on cardiovascular system which in turn reacts to improve the condition of the surrounding tise sues. Also medical opinion has held the main tenance of a healthy circulatory condition tends to oiiset premature deterioration of issue.

It is an object of the present invention to pro videa-device method of stimulating the circulation requiring no eifort on the part of individuals.

Another object of the invention i to provide a method for increasing the flow of blood to the head and face.

Another object of the invention is to relieve body fatigue by equalizing and controlling the i Qn of b ood inih o y- Another object of th invention is to provide an improved form and method of giving 3b auty treatments nd a de ice t e used in ro. thes mco add tion i??? 3 0 Provide a evice. an method for controlling the circulation in harmony with normal bodily functions.

In accordance with the present invention it has been discovered that the circulation may be artificially induced and increased with resulting beneficial efiects when the individual is subjected to a rocking motion while disposed in a supine position on a device designed to rock or oscillate lengthwise with respect to the individual in timed relationship with the heartbeat.

In practicing the invention, the pulse or heartbeat is first timed by a recording device such as a metronome which is synchronized with the 2 heartbeat. The individual then reclines on the rocking device which is oscillated automatically or by an operator in a movement which is her:- monized with the metronome or other device, so that the circulation is stimulated in relation to the heartbeat.

The device used in carrying out the method of treatment in accordance with .the invention pref? erably comprises an elongated support or bed for accommodating the individual in supine position with one or more substantially semi-circular rocking members lengthwise of the support for allowing an appreciableinclination of the device during the treatment. The device may be and preferably is provided at either end with means for preventing endwise movement of the patient relative tothe support during the treatment. The aforesaid means are preferably adjustable to ac. commodate individuals of various sizes and shapes and firmly position them on the support durin the treatment. Suitable means such as blocks or stabilizers pivoted to the rockers may be provided to maintain the elongated supporting surfaceiri a horizontal position before start in the treatment.

..A particular form of device for carrying out the method of treatment is shown in the accompa nyi.11gv drawings for purposes of illustration. It is- ;to be understoodthat the device shown and described is but .a single embodiment and changes may he made without departing from the scope of the claim.

the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the rocking device inhorizontai position.

Figure 2 shows a plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is an end view.

' Figure A is a detail showing the shoulder cushions inoperative.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 4.

. Fig-ure 6 is a detail of the foot rest.

.iEigure fl is an elevation of the device in operat o Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a detail of a shoulder cushion.

Referring to the drawings the device is shown as comprising a rectangular mattress l0 supported upon a rocking apparatus designated in general by the numeral ll. This rocking device I I is preferably constructed of light-weight metal such as aluminum or magnesium alloy tubing so as to be easily manipulated by an operator and comprises a pair of semicircular rocker members l2 welded or otherwise secured at their extremities to the ends of side members I l and end members l5 which are in turn secured together to provide a support for the mattress or bed Hi. The latter rests in part upon an endless webbing or band I6 stretched between the side members it as shown in Figure 5.

The rockers 12 are provided with braces I! to support said rockers laterally and with segmental supports 18 to preclude circular distortion of the rockers during the treatment. In order to provide means for stabilizing the device II at a position of rest with the mattress I0 in a horizontal position, a pair of stabilizing blocks or feet 19 are pivotally mounted between the rockers 12 substantially equidistant from the centerpoints thereof. The stabilizing blocks 19 remain in the supporting position shown in Figure 1 until the device is placed in operation whereupon they may be elevated clear of the rocking surfaces and maintained in retracted position by clasps 20 mounted on the segmental supports I 8. To firmly position the patient relative to the mattress l0 during the treatment, an elongated tubular element 2| is mounted above each of the side members I4 at the sides of the mattress Ii] by a number of brackets 22. Slidably contained within the lower ends of the tubes 2| are rods 23 forming part of a footrest 24. The footrest 24 is adjustably positioned relative to the lower end of the mattress In by set screws 25.

The opposite or head ends of the tubes 2| each slidably receive the free end of a broken rod 26 which terminates at the opposite end in a bracket support 2'1 for the shoulder rest 28. The bracket support 21 is journalled to slidably receive a hexagonal shaft 29 which forms a support for the shoulder rest 28. A set screw 30 serves to adjustably position the hexagonal shaft 29 relative to bracket support 21.

The broken rod 26 is formed of a short section or end 3| pivoted to a relatively long section 32. It is apparent the entire rod 26 may be moved into the tube 2! and positioned therein at any desired adjustment by a set screw 33.

The obvious purpose and function of the above arrangement is to permit a maximum range for adjusting the shoulder rests 28 to various individuals before the end 3| of rod 26 reaches the end of tube 2| and at the same time to allow the shoulder rests to repose at the sides of the device when inoperative. Moreover, the arrangement permits adjustment of the shoulder rests both longitudinally and laterally which in combination with the adjustable footrests renders the device readily capable of firmly positioning individuals of various sizes and shapes relative to the mattress or bed.

It is desirable, that the heartbeat be recorded sometime before beginning the treatment when the patient is completely relaxed to insure recordation of the normal heartbeat. The method of the present invention may be carried out with the patient positioned on the rocking device by the adjustable means aforesaid and after the blocks I9 have been moved to inoperative position.

The device is then oscillated or rocked by an operator in a cadence which is timed with the metronome or other device previously employed for timing the pulse and which during the treatment either audibly or otherwise repeats the cadence of the pulse. It is generally advisable that the device be rocked at a small angle at the start and the degree of inclination in either direction gradually increased. This serves to gradually condition the circulatory system to the rhythm of the treatment without causing discomfort or untoward reaction in the patient. For example, the treatment may begin with the device being gradually rocked at an angle of about 20 degrees from the horizontal in either direction while counting 4 beats from the recording device from top to bottom of a single movement. This may be continued for about 10 minutes and the angle of rock increased to 30 degrees with the same count. The treatment is ordinarily continued for about 10 minutes for best results.

The beneficial effects of the present treatment are immediately evident to the patient who feels at once relaxed and refreshed upon completion of the treatment. If desired the treatment may be repeated at frequent intervals without ill effect or untoward reaction.

I claim:

A device for the administration of treatments to a patient, comprising a support for accommodating the patient in a supine position, said support being mounted upon a structure including a pair of longitudinally extending, substantially semi-circular rockers, stabilizing means pivotally attached to said structure between the center and one of the ends of each of said rockers at points equidistant from the center of said rockers, each of said stabilizing means being constructed of two arms, the extremities of which are adapted to engage the surface upon which the rockers rest, joined at an apex at which said means are pivoted, and a clamp on said structure for each of said stabilizing means to hold said stabilizing means in retracted position while the device is being rocked.

MAY MACGREGOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenfces file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS are of record in the 

